Vice President of Operations

Socket.dev; California (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Medical Insurance with HSA

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with match

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible Work Scheduling

Job summary

AIRTEC, Inc. seeks a Vice President of Operations to lead and optimize all aviation operations, drive safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across multiple units.

You will develop strategic plans, manage budgets, oversee flight operations and maintenance, and partner with executives to grow the business while ensuring profitability and customer satisfaction.

This role requires 10+ years in aviation management and 5+ years in senior leadership, with FAA knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Aeronautics, or related field is required.
• MBA or related discipline preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive aviation management experience.
• 5+ years of senior leadership or executive-level experience.
• Extensive knowledge of FAA regulations, aviation safety standards, and best practices.
• Experience managing multi-site operations, flight departments, or aviation service providers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with mission and objectives.
• Lead daily operations across multiple units and locations.
• Establish KPIs and monitor productivity, safety, and profitability.
• Oversee budgeting, capital investments, and cost controls.
• Ensure FAA compliance and safety standards.
• Support business development and contract execution.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting & financial mgmt

Contract & program management

Organizational development

Process improvement

Risk management & compliance

Communication & negotiation

Problem-solving

Business development & customer eng.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Aeronautics, or related field

MBA or related discipline

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION – Vice President of Operations

Job Title: Vice President of Operations

Reports to: President

Classification: Exempt

Time Commitment: Full-time

Position Summary

The Vice President (VP) of Operations is a senior executive responsible for leading and overseeing all operational activities of the organization. The VP of Operations provides leadership across multiple departments, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures the organization meets its performance, quality, and growth goals. The Vice President of Operations is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and oversight of all aviation operations within the organization. This executive role ensures the safe, efficient, compliant, and profitable execution of flight operations, maintenance activities, operational support functions, and customer service initiatives. The VP of Operations collaborates with executive leadership to drive business growth, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and organizational performance while fostering a culture of safety and accountability.

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company's mission, vision, and strategic objectives.
• Lead and oversee daily operations across multiple business units, departments, or locations.
• Establish performance metrics and monitor organizational effectiveness, productivity, and profitability.
• Drive continuous process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop annual business plans, budgets, and growth strategies.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and contractual requirements.
• Lead workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement efforts.
• Analyze operational data and financial performance to support informed decision-making.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks while implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Oversee resource allocation, capital investments, and operational expenditures.
• Support business development initiatives, contract execution, and organizational growth.
• Provide executive leadership and direction for all aviation operations.
• Oversee flight operations, maintenance coordination, safety management, and operational support activities.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, company policies, safety standards, and industry best practices.
• Lead operational planning and resource allocation to maximize aircraft utilization and operational efficiency.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, reliability, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
• Oversee operational budgets, cost controls, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Collaborate with Business Development and Sales teams to support growth initiatives and customer retention.
• Develop and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies, airports, vendors, and industry partners.
• Ensure effective risk management and business continuity planning.
• Provide leadership during emergency response situations and operational disruptions.
• Present operational performance updates and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position supervises lower-level department leads and managers. Supervisory duties may include the recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, assigning, scheduling, coaching, counseling, and disciplining of employees; communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, appraising, and reviewing job contributions; planning and reviewing compensation actions; enforcing policies and procedures.
• Oversee the daily tasking with subordinates in the program and perform performance evaluations of staff annually.

Skills Required

• Executive leadership and team development
• Strategic planning and execution
• Budgeting and financial management
• Contract and program management
• Organizational development
• Process improvement and change management
• Risk management and compliance
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Business development and customer engagement

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship.
• Must possess a current US passport.
• Ability to successfully pass a drug test.
• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Aeronautics, or related field required.
• Master's degree (MBA or related discipline) preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive aviation management experience.
• 5+ years of senior leadership or executive-level experience.
• Extensive knowledge of FAA regulations, aviation safety standards, and operational best practices.
• Experience managing multi-site operations, flight departments, charter services, maintenance organizations, or aviation service providers.
• Strong financial management and budgeting experience.
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams and driving organizational growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Former military aviation operations officer, flight operations officer, or aviation manager.
• Experience supporting DoD, DOS, DHS, or international aviation contracts.
• Familiarity with ICAO, FAA, and host-nation aviation regulations.
• Experience operating in austere, remote, or expeditionary environments.

Travel requirements

• Travel and rotational deployment throughout the United States and locations outside of the United States, including austere locations, is required.

Physical Requirements

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, multi-function printers and smartphones.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to work in a variety of physical conditions.
• Ability to lift 10 lbs at times.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to work in a variety of physical conditions, including austere conditions.

AIRTEC Benefits Overview-FTE Only

• Competitive Pay.
• Medical Insurance with HSA Savings Account (Individual/Families).
• Dental Insurance (Individual 100% Paid/Families).
• Vision Insurance (Individual 100% Paid/Families).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Company-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Voluntary Life Insurance.
• Elective Group Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance.
• 401(k) 5% Safe Harbor and Profit-Sharing Program with Employee Participation.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care).
• Paid Time Off (Safe/Sick Leave).
• College Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development Training.
• Education Recognition Bonus Program.
• Flexible Work Schedules.
• Employee Events (monthly lunches, summer picnic, holiday parties etc.).
• Overtime for Non-Exempt Positions.

AIRTEC, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.